Identify effective search terms for database and web resources. (From Portland State University.)
Identify key search terms based on your research question.
Visuwords is an online graphical dictionary.
Brainstorm and find related search terms.
Example of Visuwords search:
Note: in most, but not all, databases, the AND is implied. For example, Google automatically puts an AND in between search terms.
Example: renewable energy AND China
Example: renewable energy OR solar OR wind
This operator is great when you notice your search term is used in different disciplines. You might use this example when researching peacekeeping in the context of interpersonal conflict but your search results in documents about international conflict.
Example: peacekeeping NOT United Nations
Adapted from SAIS Library, Johns Hopkins Univ. "Database Search Tips" Guide (no longer extant).
Records in library databases are made of "fields." Fields can help narrow your search.
Adapted from SAIS Library, Johns Hopkins Univ. "Database Search Tips" Guide (no longer extant).
Subject Terms can help you identify effective keywords. Most databases list Subjects in their search results.
To use subject terms from you search results:
1. Do an initial search.
2. Under Refine Search click on Subject.